The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has called for an increased budgetary allocation to the health sector to enhance the quality of healthcare delivery in the country. Dr. Innocent Orji, the President of NARD, made this statement at the conclusion of the association’s three-day National Executive Council meeting in Uyo on Saturday. The meeting, titled ‘Uyo 2023,’ focused on the theme ‘Improved Welfare of Healthcare Workers: A Panacea for Brain Drain (Political and Doctors’ Perspectives).’ Dr. Orji emphasized that the proposed increase should be 15 percent of the annual budgetary allocation, aligning with the 2001 Abuja Declaration for healthcare financing in Africa and global best practices.
In addition to advocating for increased funding, the NARD Executive Council urged the Federal Ministry of Health to take swift action to address brain drain by implementing the “one for one” policy for replacing doctors and clinical staff who have exited the system. Dr. Orji expressed the association’s support for the committee established by the Federal Government to mitigate brain drain in the health sector. He called for a prompt conclusion of the committee’s work and the immediate implementation of its recommendations to enhance healthcare service delivery and reduce the emigration of skilled healthcare workers from Nigeria.
The NEC also highlighted the need for the digitalization of healthcare services to improve the quality of care provided to Nigerian citizens. Furthermore, Dr. Orji urged the Chief Medical Directors of tertiary hospitals to take responsibility for security within their facilities, stating that NARD would no longer tolerate assaults on its members by patients, their relatives, or security personnel. He called on the Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba, to investigate the illegal shooting of one of its members in Delta and ensure that the perpetrators are apprehended and punished appropriately to deter future incidents. Dr. Orji demanded adequate compensation for the affected doctor and the replacement of the damaged vehicle, giving the IGP a two-week deadline to address the matter.
Lastly, the NEC urged the National Assembly to enact laws that protect the lives and well-being of doctors and healthcare workers, citing the alarming rate of assaults against its members both inside and outside hospitals. Dr. Orji also called on the Federal Government, the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, and all relevant stakeholders to pressure the governors of Abia, Ondo, and Ekiti to promptly pay the arrears of salaries and allowances owed to NARD members.
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